Snapchat is changing how it handles its Memories feature, and for the first time, you may need to start paying to keep your old snaps safe.
The company has confirmed that users with more than 5GB of saved photos and videos will have to subscribe to a storage plan to keep them available, a shift that’s already sparking backlash online.
What’s changing
Since 2016, Snapchat has allowed users to save disappearing snaps to their personal archive through Memories. That archive now holds more than a trillion saved posts, but the service has always been free until now. As BBC News reports, Snap will soon begin prompting anyone who exceeds the 5GB cap to upgrade to a 100GB paid plan.
The company told TechCrunch its baseline 100GB tier will cost $1.99 per month, while those subscribing to Snapchat+ at $3.99 will get 250GB included. More expensive tiers are expected for heavier users. Snap is also offering a 12-month grace period for anyone who doesn’t want to pay immediately, giving them time to download their old content.
Unsurprisingly, the announcement has triggered anger from long-time Snapchatters who’ve been storing years’ worth of memories for free. Many are now facing tough choices between paying for storage or losing access to a backlog of personal photos and videos. Some have labelled the change “unfair” and “greedy,” particularly as rivals like Instagram and TikTok continue to offer unlimited access to past posts at no extra charge.
That said, social media consultants argue this shift was bound to happen eventually. With more people posting less frequently but saving more content privately, paid storage may simply be the next step in how these platforms make money.
Head-to-head
Snap isn’t alone in rethinking its model. Google already charges users for exceeding the free limits on Google Photos, while Apple has long tied iCloud storage to paid plans. Even Meta has been experimenting with premium services on apps like WhatsApp. For Snapchat, the gamble will be whether users value their Memories enough to justify the new costs.
Opinion
Snapchat’s shift to paid Memories is a reminder that nothing online stays free forever. For casual users under the 5GB limit, nothing will change. But for anyone who’s been using Snapchat as a personal archive, this is a wake-up call to back up elsewhere or start budgeting for a subscription.
